Al Folk - Drums / Vocals

Al started drumming at the age of 15. Although, his family claims that he was banging away like a little monkey on pots and pans as soon as he was able get them out of the cabinets. It all started because of a drummer in a band, that left his set, didn’t show up again for another year. “I just started playing and it clicked, but I told the other guys it was just until we found someone else. Then I saw a brochure for a professional drum kit and that was it; I was a drummer.” From that time on he would play with numerous bands throughout his high school and college years where he had the opportunity to study with jazz great Chad Rager.

In 1992, Al moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in drumming. After some short-lived times with several local bands, he met a bass player named Jojo Zarrillo. The two would go on to form a band named Any Old Charlie. The horn-driven funk band would become a fixture on the L.A. music scene and spawn a songwriting partnership between Al and guitarist Mark West. After the departure of Solomon Burke Jr., son of blues legend Solomon Burke whom Al played and recorded with, Al took over as both lead vocalist and studio drummer for AOC. He recalls: “Those were some of the best times! I had a chance to see what it was like to front a band and let me tell ya – it’s like standing naked in a room and feeling like a light bulb.” During that time, Al also had the opportunity to record with Mark Englert from Dramarama. Any Old Charlie continued on until Mark West lost a battle with cancer in early 1999.

Al moved back to Columbus after Mark’s death and has played with numerous bands over the last few years. Currently playing with top country act Freight Train, he’s always up for a recording session. “It’s fun to go in with a band or artist that is unfamiliar to you. Sometimes some real magic can happen when the spontaneity kicks in."

"Either way, it’ll get you out of the house.”